This week, footage of Walter Scott’s last moments captured the nation’s attention and sparked outrage. The video showed an unarmed Scott running away from now former police officer Michael Slager and Slager shooting him in the back. The only reason why we know these undisputed facts is because of a bystander’s phone. Had the witness not recorded the tragic incident, Walter Scott might have just been a dead man, killed by a police officer who claimed he feared for his life. This Sunday, we’ll discuss the conflicts between the original police report and the video evidence, the impact of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and so much more. Panelists include:
- Khalil Gibran Muhammad, director of the Schomburg Center For Research in Black Culture
- Soledad O’Brien, CEO of Starfish Media Group
- Neera Tanden, president of Center For American Progress
- Robert Traynham, MSNBC contributor and former Bush-Cheney Senior advisor
- Cherrell Brown, community organizer
Be sure to check out these interesting reads related to the discussion:
- White outrage over Walter Scott doesn’t fix black fear of living in racist America
- As Video Exposes Walter Scott Police Killing, Why is the Man Who Filmed Eric Garner’s Death in Jail?
- In funeral sermon for Walter Scott, pastor decries ‘act of racism’
- Walter Scott was a victim of Michael Slager’s ‘target practice’
- South Carolina Residents Say Police Shooting Reflects Racist Pattern
And, former First Lady and U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to announce her candidacy for the 2016 presidential election any minute now. Surprised? Neither are we. But if Mrs. Clinton does throw her hat in the ring, she will have to introduce herself to the nation in a new way. After 23 years in the national spotlight it will be interesting to see just who she turns out to be.
Furthermore, there is a growing movement to rethink the entire social security question. Instead of the presumption that social security needs to be curbed, many believe it should be expanded. And that Democrats like Hillary Clinton should embrace the position that Senator Elizabeth Warren had already advocated in November of 2013. But is expanding social security smart policy and is it smart politically? Our panelists will answer these questions and more.
All that, plus, a look at the human trafficking bill at the center of the Loretta Lynch confirmation delay and Ellen Pao’s attempt to unstack the deck in salary negotiations.
Be sure to read what we’ve linked above, and watch Melissa Harris-Perry Sunday at 10am ET on msnbc. Join the conversation—share your thoughts about these issues on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #nerdland.
Victoria Asbury